Madam Speaker, the House may recall that it was under my prime ministership that in of August 2000, the Independent Broadcasting Authority Act was enacted to make provision for the liberalisation of the audiovisual sector, hence, the first private radios became a reality in Mauritius. The Independent Broadcasting Authority Act, therefore, already caters for the liberalisation of the audiovisual sector in Mauritius. In fact, the First Schedule of the IBA Act relating to licences, provides, inter alia, for Private Commercial Free-to-Air Medium Wave Radio Broadcasting licence, Private Commercial Free-to-Air FM Radio Broadcasting licence as well as Private Commercial Television Broadcasting licence, which are all regulated under Section 19 of the IBA Act. Therefore, Madam Speaker, the question of amending the IBA Act in order to cater for the liberalisation of the audiovisual sector in Mauritius does not arise. It is already there. Madam Speaker, I wish to apprise the House that during the period 14 November 2013 to 25 January 2014, the IBA received four applications from local and international companies for a private television licence. In this connection, the then IBA Board had decided that applications for private television licence to broadcast films, sports and

37 entertainment programmes, would be invited through an Expression of Interest from all interested parties. However, not surprisingly, no such Expression of Interest had been issued by the IBA during the last 10 years. None! Madam Speaker, I wish to point out that the IBA Act was amended in 2019 to provide for the limit of foreign shareholding in a company applying for a licence to be increased from 20% to 49.9%. However, despite this amendment, no application for a private television licence has been received by the Authority. Madam Speaker, as already announced in the Government Programme 2025-2029, my Government will stand by its commitment and therefore arrangements will be made for the introduction of private television channels, in order to promote pluralism in the audiovisual sector.

Yes, supplementary!

Merci, Madame la présidente. J’ai bien compris la réponse de l’honorable Premier ministre, mais je voudrais qu’il nous confirme une chose. Depuis l’entrée en fonction du nouveau gouvernement, et lui-même en tant que nouveau Premier ministre, est-ce qu’il peut confirmer qu’il n’y a pas eu aucune demande pour opérer une télévision privée, parce qu’il y a certaines informations qui circulent à l’effet qu’il y a des demandes qui ont été déposées depuis l’entrée en fonction du nouveau gouvernement pour opérer une télévision privée ?

I am not aware that any demand has been made yet, but when look at the whole picture – we are going to relook at this –, I am sure there will be interest. At one point, I remember there was an interest when I was Prime Minister, after I passed the law. And then, I do not know why, I supposed I lost the elections and nobody was prepared to give any money under the table.

Yes! That’s it? Mr Quirin? Alright, the hon. Second Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil, Mr Beechook! CSR FRAMEWORK – FUNDS COLLECTED & UTILISED